Cigar lighter



y 7, 1941; H. G. LEHMANN 2,243,639

CIGAR LIGHTER Filed Dec. 7, 1936 2 Sheets- Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 6:1? mann,

May 27, 1941. H. G. LEHMANN CIGAR'LIGHTER Filed Dec. '7, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. fferberf 6' .lehmann, TsigNEY Patented May 27, 1941 CIGAR LIGHTER.

Herbert G. Lehmann, Bridgeport, Conn., assignor to Automatic Devices Corporation, Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application December 7, 1936, Serial No. 114,557

13 Claims.

This invention relates to electric cigar lighters.

The invention is shown as applied to the type of lighter having a removable and transportable igniting unit carrying a heating element which is adapted, when hot, to ignite cigarettes and the like, and which igniting unit is normally carried in a base or on a holding structure.

Cigar lighters of this type, as used in automobiles, commonly comprise a holding device adapted to bemounted on an instrument board or supporting plate and presenting a recess or well into which the removable igniting unit, plug-like in form, is placed and held.

In most of the prior lighters the igniting unit is movable relatively to the holding device, and energization of the heating element carried by the igniting unit is usually effected by pushing the igniting unit inwardly in the well from a shallow open-circuit position to a deep energizing position, or by turning the unit in the well about its longitudinal axis.

The present invention provides an improved lighter wherein the igniting unit is neither depressed nor turned to effect energization of the heating element, but instead is moved outwardly from a deep open-circuit position in the well, as for removal of the unit, and is arrested in its movement at energizing position, by a detent. After the igniting unit has been halted or arrested at said energizing position, the detent accomplishing this in the preferred embodiment of this invention automatically becomes inoperative to further retain the unit, and the latter may therefore be removed for use when desired.

The igniting unit is preferably provided withautomatic circuit control means for interrupting the heating element circuit when the element is energized and has attained a predetermined temperature, and also with improved signal means for visually informing a user when the lighter is in readiness. Thus after the signal is given, the igniting unit can be removed from the holder for use.

Although the embodiments shown herein are well-type lighters, in the broader aspects of the above feature any lighter having an igniting unit which is movable on and removable from a holding device is included in the scope of the invention.

An important feature of this invention is the provision of an improved protecting means associated with the circuit control means of an electric cigar lighter to prevent dangerous overheating of the heating element should the control means fail to function properly.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings, showing several embodiments of the invention:

Figure 1 is aside view of the lighter, with the holder-in axial section, and with the'igniting unit in deep open-circuit position, the unit being shown in elevation.

Fig. 2is an axial section showing the igniting unit as having been moved to shallow, closed-circuit' position and arrested'by the automatic detent.

Fig. 3 is asimilar view; ignitingunit in elevation, but withthe hand pressure on said unit removed and with the detent disengaging the'unit and returning to its normal deep position.

Fig. 4 isa similar view but showing the detent as havingreturned to its original position and also showing the bimetallic circuit control as having opened the circuit in response to heat from the element.

Fig. 5 is a sectiontakenon the line 55 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is an axial section of a modified form of lighter wherein an automatic signal is provided in the igniting unit.

Fig. '7 is asimilar view to Fig. 6but showing the heating element circuit as having been opened in response to heat from the element, and showing the signal in operation.

Referring to Figs, 1 through 5, the present lighter comprises a holding device [0 attached to an instrument panel H and supporting a removable-igniting unit l2.

The holder It! comprises a tubular metal shell I3 havinga solid rear end wall l4 and an externally threaded front end l5' carryingan escutcheon nut lBfor securing the shell to the panel II. For thispurpose of mounting the holder, the side walls of the' shell-close to the threaded end are provided'with a plurality of tongues H lanced outwardly therefrom and adapted to engage the rear face of the panel so that when the nut I6 is screwed onto the shell it will force the panel against said tongues, the-engaging edges thereof will provide firm electrical engagement with the panel: This is to be desired since the shell l3 serves as a'contact of the holding device, and being electrically connected by the tongues ll to the panel I I, serves as part'of the ground circuit when the lighter is used in. an automobile.

The holder IOis provided with a second contact in the form of a resilient. contact arm I8 insulatedly mounted'on the shell l3 by a bolt l9 electrically connected-with a wire 2'0 by means of a lug 2!. The contact arm [8 extends through an aperture 22 in the bottom of the shell l3 into the bore thereof.

The igniting unit 52 includes a body having a tubular insulating portion 23 screwed to a tubular metal portion 24 as in Fig. 2, which latter portion serves as a heating element contact for engagement with the shell l3, and the front end of said metal portion having screwed thereto a translucent knob 25. The rear end of the insulating portion 23 carries a metal cap 26 which is adapted to serve as a second heating element contact on the igniting unit, for engagement with the resilient arm 18 when the unit is in energizing position.

The cap 26 has mounted thereon a heating element 2'! connected with the contact cap 26 and the metal portion 24 of the body, as will be hereinafter brought out.

For the purpose of insuring positive electrical connection from the shell [3 to the portion 24 of the body, the shell is provided with a plurality of resilient fingers 28 lanced therefrom and biased inwardly to engage said portion.

When the igniting unit I2 is in the deep opencircuit position of Fig. 1, the cap 26 serving as one contact for the heating element is out of engagement with the resilient arm l8, and therefore the circuit through the element is open. However, when the igniting unit is pulled outwardly to the position of Fig. 2 the arm 18 will engage the cap and thus complete the circuit through the heating element to effect energization thereof.

For the purpose of arresting the igniting unit at the energizing position of Fig. 2 as said unit is being withdrawn from the deep position of Fig. 1, there is provided by the present invention a novel detent organization, which organization also automatically releases the igniting unit for complete removal after it has been arrested in energizing position. As shown, the tubular insulating portion 23 of the igniting 'unit body is provided with a deep circumferential groove 29 which is adapted to be engaged by a pivotally and slidably mounted detent arm 3i carried by an upstanding fiange 3i struck from the upper portion of the shell 13. The detent arm 30 has an insulating tab 32 for engaging the groove 29, and

the upper end of said arm is provided with a pin 33 carried in a slot 34 in the flange 31. Referring to Fig. 1, the detent arm 36 is normally in the position shown, with the insulated tab 32 thereof resting in the groove 29 of the igniting unit. When the unit is pulled outwardly, as in Fig. 2, the detent arm 3 is moved along the slot 34 to the front end thereof, and stopped at this point, so that the igniting unit is prevented from being withdrawn further. This position is such that the resilient contact arm 18 engages the cap 26 and closes the circuit to effect energization of the heating element.

To disengage the arm 36] from the groove 29 when the igniting unit is in the position of Fig. 2 and pressure is released therefrom, there is provided a helical compression spring 35 having one end connected with a pin 36 fixed on the flange 3i and the other end connected with a lug 31 extending laterally from the arm 30, said lug carrying a pin 33 for positioning the end of said spring. Thus, when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2, the spring 35 is compressed, and as soon as pressure is removed from the igniting unit this spring will force the arm 30 upwardly in the direction of the arrow, and also forwardly as shown by the arrow in Fig. 3, until the arm comes to rest in its initial position, as in Fig. 4. To facilitate this action the arm 30 is provided with a lateral projection 30a adapted to engage a guiding ledge 39 of the flange 3| formed by bending over the top edge of said flange laterally, as is clearly shown in Fig. 5. Thus, when the spring 35 snaps the arm 30 upwardly from the position of Fig. 2 the projection 30a will limit the rotative movement of said arm and prevent disengagement of the spring 35 from the lug 3?, and the arm will be caused to move along the slot 34 to its original position.

When the igniting unit is in the energizing position and the detent has been returned by the spring 35 to its normal position, the unit can be manually removed from the holder at any time. As will be hereinafter brought out, a. visual signal is given upon the heating element reaching the desired temperature so that a user is notified when to remove the igniting unit.

The heating element 2'! includes a coil 40 carried in a metal cup 4|. The cap 26 is centrally apertured to receive a tubular extrusion on the bottom of the cup 4 I the edge of which extrusion is turned over on the inside of the cap to firmly secure the cup thereto both mechanically and electrically. The coil 40 is in the form of a spiral, the outer end of which is connected to the cup 4 I, thereby connecting it with the cap 26 so that the latter can serve as a contact for conducting current through the heating coil. It will be noted that said cap is slightly smaller in diameter than the metal portion 24 of the body and that part of the insulating portion I8 attached to said metal portion, so that when the igniting unit is supported in the shell IS the cap 26 will be spaced from the inner walls of the shell to prevent electrical engagement therewith. The inner end of the coil 40 is held in the slitted head of a stud 4-2 which passes through the bottom of the cup and cap 26 and is insulated therefrom by a bushing and washer as shown, said stud serving to make electrical connection to the inner end of the heating coil.

The present invention provides a novel circuit control means connecting the stud 42 to the metal portion 24 of the body. As shown, the inner end of the stud is axially bored to receive a pin 43 of thermoplastic or fusible material, and preferably of electrical conducting material such as lead or solder, said pin serving to secure to the end of the stud in electrical connection therewith an angle-shaped bimetallic arm 44 adapted to en gage the reduced part or neck 24a of the body portion 24. The bimetallic arm 44 is biased slightly so that when cold it engages the neck 24a, and is adapted to respond to heat from the coil 40 by bending inwardly so as to disengage said neck. Therefore, when the coil 40 is being energized, and reaches a predetermined temperature, the circuit therethrough will be automatically broken by flexing of the arm 44 and disengagement thereof with the neck 24a, and upon cooling of the coil 49 resulting from said opening of the circuit, the arm 44 will again resume its normal position and reclose the circuit. Thus the temperature of the coil 4!) will be automatically controlled when the igniting unit is in energizing position.

If for any reason the bimetallic arm 44 should cease to function properly so that the circuit through the heating element is not opened, the resulting overheating of the coil will cause the fusible pin 43 to melt and thereby release the arm. 44: from the stud 42 supporting it, so that the circuit will be broken at this point. The material of, the pin 43 is chosen so that normal operating. temperatures of the coil 49 will not soften or melt the pin, but-sothatoverheating which might beicausedby failure of the arm 44 to flex properly would quickly melt the pin and prevent danger to. the coil..

Inthe form of the invention shown, if melting of the pin does take place due to failure of the bimetallic arm. 44 to function properly, the insulating portion 23 of the igniting unit body may be unscrewed from the metal portion 24 and a new bimetallic arm secured in place by another fusible pin, all without discarding any major or expensive parts of the lighter.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the igniting unit of the lighter is provided with an improved signal for notifying a user when the heating element is sufiiciently hot for. use.

As shown, the tubular portion 24 of the ignitingunit supports therein an incandescent bulb 45 by means of a socket member 46 having a cylindrical rim closely fitting the inside of the body portion. The bimetallic arm 44 is provided with a contact finger 41 extending laterally thereof and. adapted to engage the tip 48 of the bulb, as shown in Fig. 7, when the arm 44 flexes in response to heat from the element.

When the arm 44 is in the position of Fig. 6, there will not be a complete circuit through the bulb 45.. As the heating element reaches the proper temperature for use the arm 44 will fiex so that the finger 41 thereof engages and contacts with the tip 48 of the bulb, thereby completing the circuit through said bulb. Current will flow from the resilient contact arm i8 through the cap 26, heating coil 40, bimetallic arm. 44, finger 41, to the tip of the bulb 48, throughthe b ulb, the socket member 46, and por tion 24 of the igniting unit and thence through the instrument panel to the ground. Thus the heating element and bulb will be connected in series. However, since the resistance of the bulb is high compared with that of the element 40, the latter will be substantially not effected by this relatively small series current and will cool off, as desired. Also, the bulb 45 will be substantially fully energized because of the small voltage drop across the coil 40, and the light from. said bulb will illuminate the knob 25 and notify a user that the igniting unit is ready for use. Should the igniting unit not be immediately removed, cooling of the heating element will permit the arm 44 to resume its normal position, thereby extinguishing the bulb 45 and again connecting the heating element for energization. These operations will continue until the igniting unit is removed for use or is depressed to deep open-circuit position again.

If desired, a connection such as that shown the broken line 49 in Fig. 7 may be provided between the stud 42 and the neck 24a of the igniting unit, in which event flexing of the bimetallic arm 44 will cause the signal bulb 45 to be energized, but will not open the heating element circuit. Thus for this condition the signal will be given when the heating element reaches a predetermined temperature, and will continue to be given until the igniting unit is removed from the holder, and the heating element will not be allowed to cool off until such removal.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of thisinvention and portions of the improvements be used without others.

,I claim:

1. The invention as defined in claim 10, in which the means for arresting the igniting unit includes a recess in said unit, and includes a detent slidably carried by the holding device and adapted to engage said recess.

2. The invention as defined in claim 10:, in which the holding device is substantially tubular in form, and which the igniting unit is plug-like in form to be received in the holding device, and in which the means for arresting the igniting unit includes a circumferential groove in said unit and a detent slidably carried by the holding device and adapted to engage said groove.

3. In a cigar lighter, a. holding device; an igniting unit supported by the holding device to be movable thereon in reverse directions so that its continued movement in one of said directions results in complete removal of the unit from the holding device, and its movement in the other of said directions terminates in a deep position on the holder; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means, including a detent carried by the holding device and engaging the igniting unit, for arresting the igniting unit at a second position on the holder when said unit is moved from the deep position in the direction of removal; means for completing a circuit through the heating element when the igniting unit is in said second position; and means for opening. the heating element circuit in response to heat from the element, said means for arresting the igniting unit also including means energized by the outward movement and acting on the detent automatically upon removal of the moving force from the igniting unit, for moving the detent from engagement with the igniting unit and rendering said arresting means inoperative to hold the igniting unit in the said second position, so that the unit is free to be removed from. the holding device.

4. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by the holding device to be movable thereon in reverse directions so that its continued movement in one of said directions results in complete removal of the unit from the holding device, and its movement in the other of said directions terminates in a deep position, on the holder; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means, including a. slidably mounted detent for engaging the igniting unit, for arresting the igniting unit at a second position on the holder when said unit is moved from the deep position in the direction of removal; means for completing a circuit through the heating element when the igniting unit is in said second position; means for opening the heating element circuit in response to heat from the element; means carried by the igniting unit for indicating when the heating element circuit is opened in response to heating of the element; and means automatically operative upon removal of the moving force from the igniting unit for moving said detent out of engagement with the igniting unit, for rendering said arresting means inoperative to hold the igniting unit in the said second position, so that the unit is free to be removed from the holding device.

5. An igniting unit for a cigar lighter comprising a body adapted to be removably supported on a holding device; a heating element carried by the body; a contact carried by the body; an incandescent. bulb carried by said body, one terminal of the bulb being connected. to saidcontact;

heat-responsive means for connecting one terminal of the heating element to the body contact, and for connecting said terminal of the element to the other terminal of the bulb when the element reaches a predetermined tempenature; and a second contact on the body, connected with the remaining terminal of the heating element.

6. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use, said unit being movable on the holding device; a heating element carried by th igniting unit; means for completing a circuit through the heating element when the igniting unit is in a given position on the holding device, including a contact on said unit; an incandescent bulb having one terminal connected with said contact; said means for completing the circuit through the heating element including heat-responsive means for connecting the heating element to said igniting unit contact, and for disconnecting the element therefrom and connecting it to the other terminal of the bulb when the heating element reaches a predetermined temperature.

7. An igniting unit for a cigar lighter comprising a body adapted to be removably supported on a holding device, and having a recess therein, and a translucent knob portion covering said recess; a heating element carried by the body; a contact carried by the body; an incandescent bulb carried by said body in said recess, one terminal of the bulb being connected to said contact; heat-responsive means for connecting one terminal of the heating element to the body contact, and for connecting said terminal of the element to the other terminal of the bulb when the element reaches a predetermined temperature; and a second contact on the body, connected with the remaining terminal of the heating element.

8. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by the holding device and completely removable for use; a heating element carried by the igniting unit, said igniting unit being normally disposed in deep open-circuit position on the holding device; means for closin the circuit through the heating element upon movement of the igniting unit from deep position in the holding device; means for temporarily retarding the outward movement of the igniting unit while in circuit-closing position; and means energized by movement of the igniting unit outwardly in the holding device for releasing the retarding means upon release of outward pressure on said igniting unit whereby said igniting unit is free to be removed for use.

9. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit having a heating element supported by the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use; heat-responsive means mounted on, the igniting unit for normally closing a. circuit through the heating element to the holding device for energizing the latter; and a resistance element mounted on the i niting unit and having one contact electrically connected to the holding device, and having the other contact disposed adjacent the heat-responsive means whereby, upon the heating element attaining its desired heat, the heat-responsive means will flex and engage the last-named contact to include the resistance element in the heating element circuit.

10. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit having a heating element thereon mounted on the holding device in a deep position :and completely removable therefrom for use; means on the holder engaging the igniting unit for arresting the igniting unit in a given position against removal from the holder incident to outward movement of the igniting unit on the holder from deep position upon the application of a force in an outward direction; means for closing an energizing circuit to the heating element upon the igniting unit arriving in said given position; and means energized by the outward movement of the igniting unit for acting on the arresting means to release the same from holding re lation with the igniting unit upon removal of said force in an outward direction whereby the igniting unit is free to be withdrawn completely from the holding device for use.

11. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit having a heating element thereon mounted on the holding device in a deep position and completely removable therefrom for use; means on the holder engaging the igniting unit for arresting the igniting unit in a given position against removal from the holder incident to out- Ward movement of the igniting unit on the holder from deep position upon the application of a force in an outward direction; means for closing an energizing circuit to the heating element upon the igniting unit arriving in said given position, said arresting means including a detent, means operating on the detent only when in said given position for moving the detent from holding rela tion with the igniting unit upon removal of said force in an outward direction whereby the igniting unit is free to be withdrawn completely from the holding device for use; and means for opening the circuit in response to the temperature of the heating element.

12. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igm'ting unit having a heating element thereon mounted on the holding device in a deep position and completely removable therefrom for use; means on the holder engaging the igniting unit for arresting the igniting unit in a given position against removal from the holder incident to outward movement of the igniting unit on the holder from deep position upon the application of a force in an outward direction; means for closing an energizing circuit to the heating element upon the igniting unit arriving in said given position, means energized by movement of the unit to said given position for releasing said arresting means from holding relation with the igniting unit upon removal of said force in an outward direction whereby the igniting unit is free to be withdrawn completely from the holding device for use; an electric lamp carried by the igniting unit; and means for energizing said lamp when the heating element attains a desired usable heat, said lamp indicating to the user when the outward pressure should be released to render said arresting means ineffective.

13. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit having a heating element thereon mounted on the holding device in a deep position and completely removable therefrom for use; means on the holder engaging the igniting unit for arresting the igniting unit in a given position against removal from the holder incident to outward movement of the igniting unit on the holder from deep position upon the application of a force in an outward direction; means for CIOSiIlg an energizing circuit to the heating element upon the igniting unit arriving in said given position, means rendered operative by movement of said unit to said given position for releasing said arresting means from holding relation with the igm'ting unit upon removal of said force in an outward direction whereby the igniting unit is free to be withdrawn completely from the holding device for use; means for opening the circuit in response to the temperature of the heating element; an electric signal carried by the igniting unit; and means for energizing said signal upon the heating element attaining its desired heat and the heat-responsive means opening said circuit, said signal indicating to the user when the outward pressure should be released to render said arresting means inoperative to hold said unit in the holding device and said means for opening the circuit preventing the heating element from being damaged in the event the signal is not received.

HERBERT G. LEHMANN. 

